Hydrogen is colorless, but why can it be myriad of colors? Essentially, these colors are used to color code the variety of hydrogen produced and its origin. Hydrogen is used in industrial processes, such as “refining petroleum, treating metals, producing fertilizer and other chemicals, and processing food.”
Hydrogen comes in different colors, and each of them has its purpose. Here are the various representations of color, a solution to climate change, using clean energy, and the research behind the hydrogen colors.
Hydrogen comes in various “colors”: white, grey, green, turquoise, blue, black, brown, yellow, purple, and pink. These colors represent the sources they come from in the energy industry. This is a list of the color representations of hydrogen:
White hydrogen is naturally produced or found in the Earth’s crust. It has been discovered to have the potential to solve climate change because its energy production method does not produce any carbon emissions. In addition, it has a substantial supply of white hydrogen; this number is also a factor in its potential because it could supply hydrogen and energy demands for years.
According to a United States-based startup, Natural Hydrogen Energy, “Pioneers in white hydrogen also claim it could be produced for much lower costs than its cousins. It will be twice as cheap as the cheapest green hydrogen.” Based on an estimate of a well in Mali, white hydrogen can cost as little as a dollar a kilogram to produce.
However, there are some flaws with white hydrogen. It is more flammable than natural gas, which can be hazardous. In addition, the impact it may have on climate change. Finally, the effectiveness of white hydrogen over time as it is still a new solution for climate change.
Although there are differentiations in hydrogen, this colorless gas is multipurpose. Green hydrogen, in particular, is used as a clean energy source compared to traditional fossil fuels. Did you know since the 19th century, hydrogen has been powering vehicles and aircraft? Green hydrogen is a renewable energy source and emits water vapor when utilized. The chemical industry also uses green hydrogen to manufacture ammonia and produce fertilizers.
In general, hydrogen is also used in generating energy. The fusion of hydrogen and oxygen atoms with electrochemical cells creates a fuel cell. These fuel cells work like a battery to generate electricity.
Blue hydrogen is produced using a steam reforming process. It is considered a “low-carbon hydrogen” because it doesn’t stop the production of greenhouse gases. Instead, it carbon captures and stores (CCS) the carbon emissions. Similar to blue hydrogen, turquoise hydrogen can store and capture carbon emissions if successful because the outcome of its process is solid carbon.
Due to being extracted from coal in the gasification process, black and brown hydrogen leads to opposite environmental effects. The gasification process involves the thermal conversion process of carbonaceous material into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The carbon emissions are then released into the atmosphere and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
